Cord guiding device for a traverse rod

ABSTRACT

A molded cord guiding device for a traverse rod in which the traverse rod has one opening in either the top or bottom thereof and in a preferred embodiment it has aligned openings in both the top and bottom thereof. The molded cord guiding device is inserted into at least one of said openings, and may extend through both the top and bottom openings, to guide cords as desired, either from within the traverse rod to the exterior thereof and downwardly therefrom or to reverse the direction of a cord contained wholly within the traverse rod.

1 1 Jan. 30, 1973 United States Patent 11 1 Ford [54] CORD GUIDING DEVICE FOR A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS TRAVERSE ROD 748,858 7/l933 France.................................160/346 l/l964 Canada................................160/345 [75] Inventor: James A. Ford, Sturgis, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Kirsch Company, Sturgis, Mich.

Aug. 12, 1970 Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 63,l65

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/344 160/344 160/345 X 160/344 X 12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Kenney Weber Johnson.............,..............

CORD GUIDING DEVICE FOR A TRAVERSE ROD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to traverse rods and particularly to a unitary device made from a moldable synthetic organic plastic material for replacing the conventional pulleys of a traverse rod for guiding the cord from within the rod to the exterior thereof and downwardly therefrom or to reverse the direction of a cord contained wholly within the traverse rod. The device is applied to the traverse rod by projecting through an opening in either or both of the top and the bottom of the traverse rod from the top to the interior thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the design of traverse rods for handling curtains, drapes or other window coverings and/or omamenting materials, a wide variety of devices have been used for guiding the conventional cords from within the traverse rod to the exterior thereof or for reversing the direction of a cord contained wholly within the traverse rod. Conventionally, pulleys are applied at or near the ends of the traverse rod, often by riveting same in place. While the pulley is spaced back from the end of the traverse rod, openings are normally provided below the pulley whereby the cord extending around the pulley may project through such opening and thereby extend outwardly and downwardly from the traverse rod or the cord may wrap around said pulley and extend back in the rod. These constructions work satisfactorily insofar as the operation thereof is concerned but are relatively complex and the assembly thereof is also relatively complex. Thus, in a continuing attempt to minimize the cost of traverse rods, a great deal of attention has been paid to this area of design and many designs have been suggested, but none of them, to my knowledge, contain the simplicity in both construction and operation obtained with the present invention.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention are:

1. To provide a guide for a traverse rod by which the cords of a traverse rod can be guided from the interior of same to a point exteriorly thereof and downwardly therefrom or such cord can be reversed wholly within the traverse rod.

2. To provide such a guide which is of extremely simple construction and can be effectively and easily molded from a plastics material.

3. To provide such a guide which can be molded from a self-lubricating moldable synthetic organic plastics material.

4. To provide such a guide and appropriately cooperating traverse rod by which the traverse rod may be assembled merely by inserting the guide through an opening in the top or bottom of the traverse rod.

5. To provide a guide and cooperating traverse rod in which the traverse rod has a pair of aligned openings in the top and bottom thereof whereby the guide can extend through the top of said openings and the cord can then extend out to the bottom opening.

6. To provide'a guide and traverse rod assembly as aforesaid in which the traverse rod has a pair of top and bottom aligned openings and the guide extends from the top of the traverse rod through both the said openings and projects downwardly from the bottom of said openings.

7. To provide a traverserod guide as aforesaid in which, at least in some cases, the same molded unit can be used for both the right and left ends of the traverse rod.

8. To provide a traverse guide as aforesaid in which the same molded unit can be used to guide a cord downwardly out from the rod or to reverse the cord wholly within the rod.

9. To provide a traverse rod guide as aforesaid having no moving parts.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent to persons acquainted with apparatuses of this general type upon reading the following disclosure and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. I shows an oblique broken view of the ends (looking at same from the exterior thereof) of a traverse rod showing two of said guides in disassembled relationship thereto.

FIG. 2 shows a transverse section through the assembled traverse rod and guide unit showing one embodiment thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a section of the guide unit only taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment thereof.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing still a further embodiment thereof.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a different embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing a still further embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the invention in its preferred form consists of providing a pair of aligned openings in the top and bottom of a traverse rod and locating a plastic guide device within at least one of said openings. Said guide device has means associated therewith, either fixed or rolling, by which a cord can be led under low friction from a position within said traverse rod, normally in horizontal alignment, to a position exteriorly of the traverse rod, normally extending vertically away therefrom, or by which the cord can be reversed within the rod. The plastic device in said preferred embodiment preferably extends through both of said aligned openings so that the cord will be guided outwardly from the traverse rod without danger of contacting the edge of the metal thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, there is shown a conventional D-shaped traverse rod 1 having coplanar flanges 2 and 3 and a curved connecting face 4. A pair of vertically aligned openings 6 and 7 are provided therein. The guide unit 8 is of generally rectangular configuration and of size to extend through at least one of said openings and preferably both of said openings 6 and 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 for details of the guide unit, at least one preferred embodiment comprises a pair of generally parallel side plates 9 and 11 which are connected together by a central unit 12, said central unit being of considerably smaller diameter than the corresponding dimensions of the side plates 9 and 11. A cord support and guide 13 is molded solidly into one corner between the side plates and is provided with a curved surface 14 for the support and guidance of a traverse rod cord between the horizontal and vertical positions. Suitable flanges 16 and 17 are provided on the upper edges of the side plates 9 and 11 respectively for limiting the downward movement of the guide unit 8 into and with respect to the traverse rod. Preferably also there is provided a lock flange 18 on at least one side of the unit which flange has a tapered lower edge for snapping past an upper flange 19 of the traverse rod for locking the guide unit in position.

It will be apparent that the assembly of the apparatus is extremely rapid. In a single cord situation, it is necessary only to lead the desired cord out from the opening 6, between the surface 14 and part 12 and then back through the openings 6 and 7, after which the guide unit 8 is merely introduced into the openings 6 and 7 and urged downwardly until the lock flange l8 snaps under the rod flange 19 and the assembly is complete.

Where, as is more usual, a pair of cords (or two reaches of a single cord) appear at one end of the traverse rod, one thereof may be led from the opening 6 around the surface 14 and thence downwardly through the openings 6 and 7. The other is led upwardly through the openings 6 and 7 and around the central member 12 as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1, after which again the assembly is completed by snapping the guide unit 8 into place in the openings of6 and 7.

At the other end of the traverse rod the cord, prior to assembly, is led around the central unit 12 in a manner shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 after which the guide unit 8 is snapped into place in the same manner as above described.

While the preferred construction, as shown in FIG. 2, contemplates the side plates 9 and 11 extending downwardly through the bottom opening 7, it is within the scope of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 for said side plates, here designated as 9A and 11A, to terminate somewhat short of said opening 7. The guide unit 8A will still extend through the top opening 6 and be snapped into place in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2. In this arrangement, the bottom opening on the turn end (rightward end of FIG. 1) of the traverse rod may be omitted and on the other end of the traverse rod (leftward in FIG. 1) the cords merely extend downwardly from the guide unit 8A through the bottom opening 7 of the traverse rod.

Where there is an appreciable slope of the upper surface of the traverse rod crosswise thereof, as exists with the traverse rod shown in FIGS. l-4, the positioning of the flanges l6 and 17 will preclude the use of the same unit as above described at both ends of the traverse rod. However, where the traverse rod has a flat upper surface as in the rod 18 shown in FIG. 5, then the unit as described will have its flanges 16B and 17B coplanar with respect to each other and may be used at either end of the traverse rod merely by reversing the direction thereof. Alternatively, by providing cord guide elements 13C at both ends of the guide unit 8C, shown in FIG. 7, then even a guide unit having noncoplanar flanges 16 and 17 can be used at either end of the traverse rod and thus still further simplify-the end assembly procedures.

While the foregoing described embodiments assume the cord guide unit to extend into the traverse rod from the top thereof, it will be recognized that it is entirely possible for same to extend upwardly into the traverse rod through a slot in the bottom thereof. This would provide some inconvenience in handling but would eliminate the need for the opening 6 on the upper side of the traverse rod and thereby somewhat improve the appearance thereof. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 8, and corresponding parts are marked with corresponding numerals and the suffix D. The cord guide device is otherwise identical to that shown in the other figures and will utilize either or both of the guide members 13C indicated in FIG. 6.

While certain preferred embodiments have been utilized herein for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent that other embodiments are readily conceivable within the scope of the invention and particularly to adapt the principles herein to traverse rods of other specific design and such modification will be within the scope of the invention excepting as otherwise clearly defined in the hereinafter appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination:

a traverse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof;

a cord guide unit insertable in said opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including spaced, substantially rectangular side plates connected by first and second transverse elements located at two adjacent corners of said plates and by a third transverse element spaced from said first and second transverse elements and substantially centered on said plates, at least one of said first, second and third transverse elements being a cord guiding element, said cord guiding element and another of said transverse elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit;

whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein cord guide unit and said opening in said traverse rod are of generally rectangular shape, said rod opening being sized for the snug reception of said cord guide unit.

3. The device defined in claim 1 including also flanges on said cord guide unit extending transversely of said traverse rod for limiting the movement of said cord guide unit in at least one direction with respect to said traverse rod.

4. The device of claim 3 in which at least the one of the top and bottom surfaces of the traverse rod having said rod opening is circumferentially curved, said cord guide unit having one of said flanges on each of said spaced side plates adapted to be received in said rod opening in said traverse rod, said side plates being of differing height, said flanges being of different vertical location so as to snugly engage the surfaces of said rod adjacent said rod opening despite said curve.

5. The device defined in claim 1 including a first flange on said cord guide unit adapted to overlie the adjacent surface of said traverse rod and a snap flange on said cord guide unit opposed to said first flange and spaced therefrom substantially by the thickness of the adjacent surface of traverse rod for snapping under said adjacent surface of the traverse rod, said flanges holding the cord guide unit against inward and outward movement and rocking with respect to the traverse rod.

6. The device of claim 1, in which said cord guide unit consists of a plastic molded body with the cord leading walls thereof being integrally molded therein, facing surfaces of said second and third transverse elements being oppositely curved for guiding a cord therebetween.

7. The device of claim 1 in which the height of the portion of said cord guide disposed in said rod is less than the spacing of said top and bottom traverse rod surfaces, said cord guide unit extending through only one of said traverse rod surfaces.

8. The device of claim 1 in which said traverse rod has a pair of said rod openings respectively located adjacent to but spaced from opposite ends of said rod and including a second cord guide unit substantially identical to said first mentioned cord guide unit, said first and second cord guide units being transversely receivable in corresponding ones of said rod openings.

9. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said cord guiding element is said second transverse element and has a rounded surface facing interiorly of said unit, for the guidance of said cord, said guide opening being bounded by said side plates and said second and third transverse elements.

10. The device of claim 1 including a pair of aligned openings on opposite sides of said traverse rod, said side plates extending through both thereof, said second transverse element being substantially quadrant shaped for cord guiding and located adjacent one of said rod openings.

11. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination:

a traverse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof;

a cord guide unit insertable in said opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including flat side elements spaced from each other and slidably receivable within said rod opening, said side elements being connected by a first transverse and fixed connecting member, said first connecting member being a cord guiding element and hav ing a surface facing interiorly of said unit, said surface being rounded for the guidance of said cord, said fixedly inter-connected elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit, said guide opening being bounded by said side elements and said first connecting member whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord, a second connecting member fixed between said side elements and spaced from said first connecting member for further spacing and supporting said side elements and guiding an additional cord, a third connecting member, said first and third connecting members lying in spaced, mirror image relationship below said second connecting member, whereby said cord guide unit may, in the same relationship with respect to the traverse rod, receive a cord from either end thereof for guidance through the bottom thereof. 12. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination:

a traverse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof;

a cord guide unit insertable in said opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including a cord guiding element, said fixedly interconnected elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit, whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord;

a set of flanges comprising a first flange and a snap flange on each side of said cord guide unit adjacent the bottom edge thereof, spaced substantially parallel platelike walls extending upwardly from the opposed inner ends of said flanges, said cord guiding element being substantially quadrant shaped and connecting opposed lower corners of said platelike walls and located between said sets of flanges and having a curved cord guiding surface facing inwardly between said platelike walls, a further cord guiding element of substantially circular cross section spaced from said one cord guiding element and located substantially centrally of said platelike walls and connecting same, said cord guide unit being upwardly receivable through an opening in the bottom of said rod and securable to the walls of said rod by said flanges for fixedly locating same on said rod, the space between said platelike walls communicating with the interior of said rod and outwardly through the bottom thereof. 

1. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination: a traveRse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof; a cord guide unit insertable in said opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including spaced, substantially rectangular side plates connected by first and second transverse elements located at two adjacent corners of said plates and by a third transverse element spaced from said first and second transverse elements and substantially centered on said plates, at least one of said first, second and third transverse elements being a cord guiding element, said cord guiding element and another of said transverse elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit; whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord.
 1. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination: a traveRse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof; a cord guide unit insertable in said opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including spaced, substantially rectangular side plates connected by first and second transverse elements located at two adjacent corners of said plates and by a third transverse element spaced from said first and second transverse elements and substantially centered on said plates, at least one of said first, second and third transverse elements being a cord guiding element, said cord guiding element and another of said transverse elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit; whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein cord guide unit and said opening in said traverse rod are of generally rectangular shape, said rod opening being sized for the snug reception of said cord guide unit.
 3. The device defined in claim 1 including also flanges on said cord guide unit extending transversely of said traverse rod for limiting the movement of said cord guide unit in at least one direction with respect to said traverse rod.
 4. The device of claim 3 in which at least the one of the top and bottom surfaces of the traverse rod having said rod opening is circumferentially curved, said cord guide unit having one of said flanges on each of said spaced side plates adapted to be received in said rod opening in said traverse rod, said side plates being of differing height, said flanges being of different vertical location so as to snugly engage the surfaces of said rod adjacent said rod opening despite said curve.
 5. The device defined in claim 1 including a first flange on said cord guide unit adapted to overlie the adjacent surface of said traverse rod and a snap flange on said cord guide unit opposed to said first flange and spaced therefrom substantially by the thickness of the adjacent surface of traverse rod for snapping under said adjacent surface of the traverse rod, said flanges holding the cord guide unit against inward and outward movement and rocking with respect to the traverse rod.
 6. The device of claim 1, in which said cord guide unit consists of a plastic molded body with the cord leading walls thereof being integrally molded therein, facing surfaces of said second and third transverse elements being oppositely curved for guiding a cord therebetween.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which the height of the portion of said cord guide disposed in said rod is less than the spacing of said top and bottom traverse rod surfaces, said cord guide unit extending through only one of said traverse rod surfaces.
 8. The device of claim 1 in which said traverse rod has a pair of said rod openings respectively located adjacent to but spaced from opposite ends of said rod and including a second cord guide unit substantially identical to said first mentioned cord guide unit, said first and second cord guide units being transversely receivable in corresponding ones of said rod openings.
 9. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said cord guiding element is said second transverse element and has a rounded surface facing interiorly of said unit, for the guidance of said cord, said guide opening being bounded by said side plates and said second and third transverse elements.
 10. The device of claim 1 including a pair of aligned openings on opposite sides of said traverse rod, said side plates extending through both thereof, said second transverse element being substantially quadrant shaped for cord guiding and located adjacent one of said rod openings.
 11. A traverse rod and cord guide assembly comprising in combination: a traverse rod having a rod opening through at least one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof; a cord guide unit insertable in said Opening and comprising fixedly interconnected elements including flat side elements spaced from each other and slidably receivable within said rod opening, said side elements being connected by a first transverse and fixed connecting member, said first connecting member being a cord guiding element and having a surface facing interiorly of said unit, said surface being rounded for the guidance of said cord, said fixedly inter-connected elements having spaced faces defining a cord guide opening in said cord guide unit, said guide opening being bounded by said side elements and said first connecting member whereby when said unit is inserted through said rod opening, a traverse rod cord can pass into said guide opening and utilize said cord guiding element for changing the direction of said cord, a second connecting member fixed between said side elements and spaced from said first connecting member for further spacing and supporting said side elements and guiding an additional cord, a third connecting member, said first and third connecting members lying in spaced, mirror image relationship below said second connecting member, whereby said cord guide unit may, in the same relationship with respect to the traverse rod, receive a cord from either end thereof for guidance through the bottom thereof. 